Phil Parkinson wary of Bradford City stat attack

Phil Parkinson wants City to copy in-form Wycombe’s example to get their promotion campaign back on the rails.

The Bantams are due to make their rearranged trip to Adams Park tonight – subject to a morning pitch inspection – still looking to break their winning duck in 2013.

Their run of just two points from six games since Boxing Day is the worst in League Two. In contrast, Gareth Ainsworth’s red-hot Wanderers have won four out of five – including the last three without conceding a goal.

Parkinson, who could recall Andy Gray up front, is alarmed to see his side slip into mid-table. He admitted the Capital One Cup heroics have taken their toll but is still confident they can regain that lost ground.

He said: “The stats will back up that teams that do well in the cups generally do suffer. I’ve tried everything to avoid that but it has happened to us.

“Are we still good enough to mount a challenge? Yes, I think we are. But we’ve got to get our league form back on track, starting tonight.

“Wycombe are a good side. They’ve gone above us and quite deservedly so because they are on an extraordinary run.

“Look where they were at the start of the season and Gareth has changed them round. We are capable of doing the same.

“But let’s just concentrate on this game. I’ve got to pick the best team and the freshest one to get us a result.”

Gray is in line for his third start since arriving from Leeds last month and that could give James Hanson a break with Wembley only 12 days away.

Parkinson, who will pick his side today, said: “We’ve got options in the team, with players like Andy Gray who we’ve brought in. He’s a proven striker at levels above us.

“He’s chomping at the bit to play and maybe it’s a chance for him now to have a run of games.

“I was frustrated with Saturday because there wasn’t a great deal wrong. Fleetwood was also a good point in a game when we played well.

“We did a lot of good things against Gillingham and should have got something. The lads know it but sometimes chances don’t go in at one end but do at the other. Those are big moments.

“I read the papers this weekend and there were lots of managers saying the same thing. There are defining moments in games.

“Let’s be fair, throughout the season we’ve had some inspirational moments. We didn’t quite have that on Saturday but it’s well within our capability to do it tonight.”

Gray is likely to partner Nahki Wells, who had an off day against Gillingham but remains City’s chief goal threat. Alan Connell is another option but he has struggled to dislodge the Bermudian top scorer. Parkinson said: “It’s always difficult for any player not in the team. Everyone wants to play but they are all pulling together in the same direction.

Comments

macca1969
8:35am Tue 12 Feb 13

That is a fair point as Nahki was equally as poor in not the worse player on saturday. Is he still carrying an injury, if so should we not rest him instead of Hanson or both and give Connell a chance as well. Just thoughts

That is a fair point as Nahki was equally as poor in not the worse player on saturday. Is he still carrying an injury, if so should we not rest him instead of Hanson or both and give Connell a chance as well. Just thoughtsmacca1969

That is a fair point as Nahki was equally as poor in not the worse player on saturday. Is he still carrying an injury, if so should we not rest him instead of Hanson or both and give Connell a chance as well. Just thoughts

Score: 0

gentlemanbob
8:43am Tue 12 Feb 13

Hi Gents

Dito that macca...If he has a injury he should not be playing ,

Yours

Gentlemanbob

Hi Gents
Dito that macca...If he has a injury he should not be playing ,
Yours
Gentlemanbobgentlemanbob

Hi Gents

Dito that macca...If he has a injury he should not be playing ,

Yours

Gentlemanbob

Score: 0

OutOfBradford
9:10am Tue 12 Feb 13

I'd go Gray and Connell tonight (if it's on)

Hanson and Wells have been good overall this season but it looks stale and predictable. For all our good play on Saturday, we were barely a goal threat and felt Gillingham held us off easily.

I'd go Gray and Connell tonight (if it's on)
Hanson and Wells have been good overall this season but it looks stale and predictable. For all our good play on Saturday, we were barely a goal threat and felt Gillingham held us off easily.OutOfBradford

I'd go Gray and Connell tonight (if it's on)

Hanson and Wells have been good overall this season but it looks stale and predictable. For all our good play on Saturday, we were barely a goal threat and felt Gillingham held us off easily.

Score: 0

The SBD
9:35am Tue 12 Feb 13

I have been thinking the same OutOfBradford.

James Hanson worked hard as usual but Nahki Wells was well off the pace.

I would have thought we would have hung onto Ross Hannah till the end of the season, but at his football age he can't wait around forever, and I don't think he was in Phil Parkinson's long term plans.

What we had on Saturday were quite a few players who aren't up to match fitness yet.

We need to put a clutch of wins together but we have only once back in September.

I have been thinking the same OutOfBradford.
James Hanson worked hard as usual but Nahki Wells was well off the pace.
I would have thought we would have hung onto Ross Hannah till the end of the season, but at his football age he can't wait around forever, and I don't think he was in Phil Parkinson's long term plans.
What we had on Saturday were quite a few players who aren't up to match fitness yet.
We need to put a clutch of wins together but we have only once back in September.The SBD

I have been thinking the same OutOfBradford.

James Hanson worked hard as usual but Nahki Wells was well off the pace.

I would have thought we would have hung onto Ross Hannah till the end of the season, but at his football age he can't wait around forever, and I don't think he was in Phil Parkinson's long term plans.

What we had on Saturday were quite a few players who aren't up to match fitness yet.

We need to put a clutch of wins together but we have only once back in September.

Score: 0

belle vue
11:30am Tue 12 Feb 13

it's a shame we can't play premier league teams every week since they seem to be the only ones we can beat. Never a dull moment with City! We'll be fighting relegation and winning the League (Capital One) Cup at this rate. Can a Conference side play in Europe?

it's a shame we can't play premier league teams every week since they seem to be the only ones we can beat. Never a dull moment with City! We'll be fighting relegation and winning the League (Capital One) Cup at this rate. Can a Conference side play in Europe?belle vue

it's a shame we can't play premier league teams every week since they seem to be the only ones we can beat. Never a dull moment with City! We'll be fighting relegation and winning the League (Capital One) Cup at this rate. Can a Conference side play in Europe?

Score: 0

Victor Clayton
1:17pm Tue 12 Feb 13

“I was frustrated with Saturday because there wasn’t a great deal wrong. Fleetwood was also a good point in a game when we played well".
Take a chance and try getting a few players in the box Phil!

“I was frustrated with Saturday because there wasn’t a great deal wrong. Fleetwood was also a good point in a game when we played well".
Take a chance and try getting a few players in the box Phil!Victor Clayton

“I was frustrated with Saturday because there wasn’t a great deal wrong. Fleetwood was also a good point in a game when we played well".
Take a chance and try getting a few players in the box Phil!

Score: 0

theoutsider
1:28pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Gray - Connell for me too...but if its not working be prepared to change it ! and with enough time left to make an impact. Also we need Atko in there for me who is capable of good work on the ball. Maybe go Reid - Atko on the wings. Bring in Dickson and put Good in a centre back alongside Nelson.

Play with the same intensity we played the cup games and we won't go far wrong. Still time for tonights team to be the Wembley '11' so there is everything there for them to want to do well.

Gray - Connell for me too...but if its not working be prepared to change it ! and with enough time left to make an impact. Also we need Atko in there for me who is capable of good work on the ball. Maybe go Reid - Atko on the wings. Bring in Dickson and put Good in a centre back alongside Nelson.
Play with the same intensity we played the cup games and we won't go far wrong. Still time for tonights team to be the Wembley '11' so there is everything there for them to want to do well.theoutsider

Gray - Connell for me too...but if its not working be prepared to change it ! and with enough time left to make an impact. Also we need Atko in there for me who is capable of good work on the ball. Maybe go Reid - Atko on the wings. Bring in Dickson and put Good in a centre back alongside Nelson.

Play with the same intensity we played the cup games and we won't go far wrong. Still time for tonights team to be the Wembley '11' so there is everything there for them to want to do well.

Score: 0

BD16
1:37pm Tue 12 Feb 13

OutOfBradford wrote…

I'd go Gray and Connell tonight (if it's on) Hanson and Wells have been good overall this season but it looks stale and predictable. For all our good play on Saturday, we were barely a goal threat and felt Gillingham held us off easily.

I don't disgaree with you but if it is Gray and Connell we'll have to change tactics and style. The long balls that are normally aimed at Hanson just didn't work with Gray in the team against Oxford. He's a different style of player to Hanson no matter how hard he's prepared to work.

[quote][p][bold]OutOfBradford[/bold] wrote:
I'd go Gray and Connell tonight (if it's on) Hanson and Wells have been good overall this season but it looks stale and predictable. For all our good play on Saturday, we were barely a goal threat and felt Gillingham held us off easily.[/p][/quote]I don't disgaree with you but if it is Gray and Connell we'll have to change tactics and style. The long balls that are normally aimed at Hanson just didn't work with Gray in the team against Oxford. He's a different style of player to Hanson no matter how hard he's prepared to work.BD16

OutOfBradford wrote…

I'd go Gray and Connell tonight (if it's on) Hanson and Wells have been good overall this season but it looks stale and predictable. For all our good play on Saturday, we were barely a goal threat and felt Gillingham held us off easily.

I don't disgaree with you but if it is Gray and Connell we'll have to change tactics and style. The long balls that are normally aimed at Hanson just didn't work with Gray in the team against Oxford. He's a different style of player to Hanson no matter how hard he's prepared to work.

Score: 0

Bantam sthn Ellatha
2:06pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Time Connell was given a run in the side. The Hanson-Wells partnership, although been fruitful, has obviously gone off the boil and maybe now's the time to change things a bit.
Pointless having options on the bench if they're not going to be used.
Swap them around, let Hanson & Wells sit on their backsides for a while.

Time Connell was given a run in the side. The Hanson-Wells partnership, although been fruitful, has obviously gone off the boil and maybe now's the time to change things a bit.
Pointless having options on the bench if they're not going to be used.
Swap them around, let Hanson & Wells sit on their backsides for a while.Bantam sthn Ellatha

Time Connell was given a run in the side. The Hanson-Wells partnership, although been fruitful, has obviously gone off the boil and maybe now's the time to change things a bit.
Pointless having options on the bench if they're not going to be used.
Swap them around, let Hanson & Wells sit on their backsides for a while.

Score: 0

gspot01
4:03pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Agree with the Gray/Connell shouts for tonights match.
.
I've been praying it's called off and the weekends game before wembley becasue it appears we may as well just give the points to the opposition.

Agree with the Gray/Connell shouts for tonights match.
.
I've been praying it's called off and the weekends game before wembley becasue it appears we may as well just give the points to the opposition.gspot01

Agree with the Gray/Connell shouts for tonights match.
.
I've been praying it's called off and the weekends game before wembley becasue it appears we may as well just give the points to the opposition.

Score: 0

pokertee
6:55pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Some good points by everyone tonight, Well done y'all. I agree that gray/connel should start tonight as PP did say that he was going to give other players the chance to play at Wembley?

I Am GOING TO SHOUT THIS: Tonight's game i will say is going to be 3-1 To the mighty City. I just feel it...

Some good points by everyone tonight, Well done y'all. I agree that gray/connel should start tonight as PP did say that he was going to give other players the chance to play at Wembley?
I Am GOING TO SHOUT THIS: Tonight's game i will say is going to be 3-1 To the mighty City. I just feel it...pokertee

Some good points by everyone tonight, Well done y'all. I agree that gray/connel should start tonight as PP did say that he was going to give other players the chance to play at Wembley?

I Am GOING TO SHOUT THIS: Tonight's game i will say is going to be 3-1 To the mighty City. I just feel it...

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here